Most of my memories are pretty short, and I feel like I have lots of them.
Some of my fondest times with Dad were gathered around his guitar. I feel like he did that less and less as we got older, but we did that a lot in Utah. He would get that old song book out and start strumming, sometimes we would sing along other times we would just listen. I loved that about him. He loves music, even when I would come and play the piano while I visited. Usually, it was an electric piano. Remember that electric piano that had the cards that you would slide to start the song? I think that electric piano was only in AZ but maybe it made it to Washington. He also would have us sing in church every time we would visit, usually it would be Jen, but he would always seize an opportunity to show case his families talent. You knew Dad was proud of his family because he was always showing us off when we visited. Made me feel special, almost like royalty every time we came up.
Dad loves his yard. I have memories of riding the mower, usually with him. A couple of times I got to drive it myself. That was fun. One summer we planted a garden, it was a large garden behind the house and we worked hard weeding it and watering it. I don’t remember harvesting it, that may have come after we left. One time after we had worked and played out in the yard, I think I was around 8 or 9 years old, we went inside and while I was sitting with him he told me I stunk! Ha! The next day, Mother took me shopping for deodorant. I bought “teen spirit”. Good times.
Every time we would visit, Dad would take us out individually on dates to a restaurant. I loved that. Getting one on one time with him and talking about everything. I remember one particular long drive to the restaurant and I asked him what happened between him and mom (bev). I expected negative details to come from him, but he never said anything negative about mom. This really surprised me, and is something I respect about him to this day. Infact, I don’t think I have ever heard him say anything bad about her.
Whipping us with a stick came to slow close when I was a teenager. The last time remember being “spanked” by dad was after I had teased John (I think) and he got out the broom to beat us with it. I bent over to receive my punishment and after he hit me, the the bristle end, it made me laugh and that was the end of “beatings” from dad.
There was never a doubt in my mind that Dad loved his family. I wish we saw it more when we were away, but he poured it out on us when we were there. Many times he made a plea to have us come live with him. I never took that opportunity, Jen and Jason would for the summer. Dad loves us, I know that, I suppose that’s what makes me so sad sometimes, I remember leaving one year, headed back to arizona, and watching him stand in the terminal. I felt sad for him, that he had to say goodbye to his kids every summer for one whole year. That must have been hard at times.
I loved to cuddle with Dad. Although, his barrel chest made it difficult it was still my favorite. He would lay down on the floor after dinner and I would cuddle up to him. In Utah it was the white sheep skin rug. Remember that? He loved to nap after dinner sometimes requesting we take off his boots. That was always a challenging task, you just can’t yank off his boots, there is skill to it. Heel then toe, then a deep suction noise and off comes the boot, sometimes the sock too.
I learned to shoot from Dad, he taught us strict shooting guidelines to keep us safe. I respected that and to this day, I try to teach my kids the same guidelines. The great thing about his land in Washington, we could shoot in his back yard. He also had a deal that you got a rifle when you turned 16. I think everyone got one, but me. I remember when Jen got hers. That was cool.
I learned to drive when I would visit washington. One particular time, Dad let me drive back from a branch members house, and jason and jen were so upset that he let me drive. I must have been 14, so I understand why, but I still thought it was funny. Dad loved to teach us things, that always made me feel special.
Jessi
